Internships & Experiential Learning
Internships & Experiential Learning
Internships and experiential learning play a vital role in shaping college student's professional journeys and preparing them for the challenges of the real world. These opportunities provide a bridge between theoretical knowledge gained in classrooms and the practical skills required in the workforce. These transformative experiences are integral part of the Rollins Gateway and lay the foundation for future success.
In order to post your internship with Rollins College, the experience must align with the criteria below. This ensures that students experience a professional work environment that is educational in nature. Our criteria are based on guidance from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the National Society for Experiential Educators (NSEE).
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Internship Posting Requirements
Considerations for Posting Internships with Rollins College
Employers may post their internship opportunities on our career management portal, Handshake. Internships can be paid or unpaid, though employers who wish to post an unpaid internship must agree that their internship meets the U.S. Department of Labor's Fair Labor Standards Act Test for Unpaid Interns and Students
Internships typically last for a semester, although internship employers may host longer experiences. Internships are about 15 weeks in length for the fall semester (August - December) and spring semester (January - May). They can be a minimum of 9 weeks for the summer semester (June - August).
Supervision has a huge impact on an internship experience. Be sure to find a supervisor who enjoys teaching others about their career. This person should also be someone who has the time and commitment to meet regularly with the student to discuss professional growth.
Academic Internships - Key Dates
Rollins students may earn 2, 3, or 4 credit hours (40 onsite hours = 1 academic credit hour). The majority of students seek to earn the 4-credit max, and are expected to work a minimum of 160 hours per semester.
Internship experiences must align with the Rollins academic semesters:
Fall— Internship engagement from August to December, 12-15 weeks in length
Spring— Internship engagement from January to May, 12-15 weeks in length
Summer— Internship engagement from May to August, at least 9 weeks in length
Academic Internship - Employer Responsibilities
Internship employers must provide the tools and resources necessary to complete the assigned work. For inperson internships, students must intern at sites that are deemed public and not associated with private residences or attached to private dwellings.
- Collaborating with the intern to establish 5 Learning Objectives to be accomplished during the internship
- Signing, along with the intern, the Commitment to Learning Agreement Form
- Providing the intern with work that will enhance their educational and professional goals
- Providing the intern with feedback on their progress throughout the internship
- Completing the online Employer Mid Term and Final Evaluations on the intern's performance
- Signing, along with the intern, time sheets that confirm work engagement
- Communicating with the Rollins Internship Team at internships@rollins.edu and/or academic internship course instructor as appropriate.
Academic Internships - Dates To Remember
- Summer
March 20 to May 10
- Fall
June 1 to August 20
- Spring
November 1 to January 10
Experiential Learning & Job Shadowing
Experiential learning, also known as real-world experience, holds significant value for employers in assessing candidates' interests, values, and skills beyond academic achievements. It allows individuals to explore and gain firsthand insights into different work environments within their desired career field, enabling them to make informed decisions about their potential paths. This firsthand knowledge and skill development make candidates more well-rounded and better equipped to contribute effectively in a professional setting.
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Micro-Internships
Micro-Internships: Small Experiences, Big Impact
As part of its mission to allow students to ensure equitable pathways from college to career, the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation is pleased to launch its Micro-Internship program. This unique program provides short-term, paid, professional opportunities to a diverse population of Connecticut and Florida community college, university, and other post-secondary students including Rollins College students!
When posting your project, you can make your opportunity exclusively available to Rollins College students or open it to all students in Florida and/or Connecticut. All costs associated with providing these opportunities including payments of up to $300 to each Micro-Intern will be funded by the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and processed by Parker Dewey. You can select from the projects listed below or customize your own. If you have questions, contact careercenter@rollins.edu.
Learn more about Micro-Internship opportunities